Proper 23: Old Testament, Isaiah 25:6-9 

Isaiah 25:6-9

Isaiah is so full of gems and jewels that point to the beauty of the coming Savior. It would be hard to settle on a favorite. In chapter 25 we have declarations that I think most scholars would say have to do with the final kingdom. That new creation the Bible speaks about. The vestiges of the old world and the sin that ruled the hearts of mankind will be long gone and in their place we find from this text alone feasting, fine wines, the banishment of tears, and the death of death.

Those are stunning things to consider. But at the close of our reading we find perhaps the most important “piece” of that final destination of God’s people. And it is God Himself. When God’s people are finally joined together for the great feast, the wedding of the King and His bride, they will declare as Isaiah writes, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is YAHWEH; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).

That King. That Savior-Servant King is our God. He saves. He does all things well. And here, it is pictured that He has for all eternity settled in the presence of those He rescues. Who is He? The One who sets the table and serves. The One who wipes tears away. The One who swallows our death in His own. The One, the only One who saves. His name is Jesus.